This sucks - hubby lost his job

[midtwenty]

So, my husband's bullshit company fired him on Thursday. Want to know why? He had "a bad attitude." Hmmm. Let's think about this for a second.

1. He was doing the same job on Thursday that he was doing the day he started over 5 years ago.
2. He hadn't had a raise or bonus in 3 years.
3. He'd been specifically told he was disallowed from applying for ANY internal job openings.
4. The work done by other departments that were closed down in the last 2 years was all shifted to his department (consisting of 5 people).
5. The department director gave back a $2,000,000 surplus to corporate at the end of the last fiscal year, yet his dept STILL got no raises.
6. ALL mid-level managers and higher have gotten ALL their salary increases and bonuses throughout this entire time.

The list goes on and on and on and on, but they have the fucking AUDACITY to be pissed off at him for having a "bad attitude" when THEY'RE the ones that forced him into it?! Are they fucking kidding me?! Not to mention the fact, they've been threatening him with losing his job for almost 2 years, but they pick NOW, now that I'm pregnant, to do it. Thanks a fucking lot you cumguzzling, cuntfaced, cocksmoking, herpes-riddled, sorry ass excuses for humanity. I better never see his boss out in public. I will run her fat ass over with my car.

[paiger81]

And the hormonal mood swings have begun ;): J/k

That does suck ass. What does he do? Will it be easy for him to find another position?

[MetFanL]

That s*cks, mid. Can he collect unemployment? Do they have documentation of that bad attitude? If not, I don't see why he couldn't collect (and, he might be able to collect anyway)... And, quite frankly, without documentation, they should just say they laid him off. It'll be better for both parties -- especially without any proof.

Hopefully, he'll be about to find something else soon.

[heatherf]

Mid-

I am so sorry for you guys. Talk about a kick in the pants. I'll start praying for you immediately.....try not to stress over it though (yeah right) cause of the baby.

:sad:

I am thinking of you sweetie.

[pisces2473]

Damn woman. I hope I never run into YOU! LOL

Please watch the jokes running down people in cars.

I think you should sue for unlawful termination and possible discrimination.

I hope you aren't getting TOO upset about this.

That sucks though. Fuckers. I hate people.

[and1grad]

I agree with pisces. I thought u had to have some tangible reason to fire someone. I'm not sure of all the specifics of what to do but I've heard of people suing for unlawful termination over similar circumstances.

[WeirdBrake]

A "bad attitude." Hmmm... sounds like they fired him because he still had a brain, a dick, and a soul. Those can be liabilities in many workplaces, ya know.

In any case, sorry to hear about this crap. :(

[midtwenty]

Oh pi, I'm sorry about the car comment. :(

He damn well better be able to collect his unemployment! I don't think his immediate supervisor will contest his claim, because she really liked him and knew he was getting a raw deal the whole time. Her hands were sort of tied thanks to their bullshit company structure and the insane office politics. He has 4 weeks of vacation pay coming to him because he just had his 5 yr anniversary in December and didn't have a chance to use any of it yet. So that will help.

What's funny (funny interesting, not funny ha-ha) about it all is that I'm sure his behavior was documented somewhere at some time, but these people are notorious for being unorganized and borderline stupid, so I doubt they could even FIND the documentation if it exists. We're talking about people who couldn't find their ass with both hands and an Ass Map.

Part of me is happy they fired him, simply because I know how much he hated it there, how completely fucked he was as far as career options went, and that I knew he'd likely never quit on his own because the pay was good and he had all the vacation and benefits. Even unemployed, I can already see a huge difference in his disposition. And I'd rather have a happy husband and happy daddy for my baby, you know?

But now I'm stuck with wondering, does this completely screw up my plans for after my baby is born? Ugh.

[midtwenty]

A "bad attitude." Hmmm... sounds like they fired him because he still had a brain, a dick, and a soul. Those can be liabilities in many workplaces, ya know.

In any case, sorry to hear about this crap. :(

Yes, all of the above. And to exacerbate the problem, he was inciting the natives, so to speak. The brainless, dickless, soulless ones all started listening to what he had to say and began to realize how badly they were getting treated. Dangerous to any organization, for their employees to see through their bullshit.

and1, we probably could sue, but we don't have the $$ for a lawyer, and quite frankly, we're both too glad he's free of Satan's Asshole, aka Williams Energy. Fuckers.

[heatherf]

What are your post delivery plans? Quitting your own job?

Mid- I'd take it one day at a time. Who knows what your situation will be come August, right? Just have him obviously concentrate on finding a new job....and worry about what you will do after the baby is born at a later time. You're just gonna stress yourself out over something that is totally out of your control.

[WeirdBrake]

and1, we probably could sue, but we don't have the $$ for a lawyer

Keep in mind that these types of cases are almost always handled through contingency-fee plaintiff lawyers, which doesn't require you to give them a cent (they look at your situation for free and then decide if it's worth it to them to take your case; and then if they win you any money, they take a chunk of it). But I can understand if you don't want to deal with any of that stuff and just want to put it behind you.

[tartytwenty]

Totally a shitty move on the company's behalf. Do you have health insurance still? The baby will be fine, just needs loving parents, and you guys will be. This is totally nerdy, but that saying...something when one door is closed, another one opens.. or is it window? Is true. Sure, you'll be worrying about income, but perhaps now he'll find a better job where they treat him good instead of poorly.

[midtwenty]

What are your post delivery plans? Quitting your own job?

Mid- I'd take it one day at a time. Who knows what your situation will be come August, right? Just have him obviously concentrate on finding a new job....and worry about what you will do after the baby is born at a later time. You're just gonna stress yourself out over something that is totally out of your control.

Yes, exactly. I had no intention of staying after the baby is born, but now I have to at least consider the possibilty that I may be here for awhile longer than anticipated. And it sucks giant donkey balls. I hate it here, but I make good money, and if we need it...

The good news is, he's got a fairly solid lead on a job already. Fairly comparable pay to what he was making, but more importantly, with a company that I know for sure has a good history and gives promotions and raises. All will be well, and I know this. But QLC is such a good place to rant.

WB - at this point it's best we just pick ourselves up and move on. My offended principles and deeply-ingrained sense of people getting what they deserve is screaming at me "Sue sue sue!" but my common sense says move on. I learned a long time ago to listen to my own common sense. They wouldn't learn any type of lesson from a lawsuit, and it would only prolong what has already been too much time associated with that company. Being rid of them is payoff enough for me. :)

[coll214]

Oh mid- that just sucks!! If he has issues getting the unemployment, then i'd say look to sue, but if he can get it... And that just sounds like the most flimsy ass excuse to fire someone, why don't they just say we're laying him off?

but it sounds like it'll all work out for the best... in the loooong run.

[midtwenty]

Totally a shitty move on the company's behalf. Do you have health insurance still?

Thank God for small things, you know? We always maintained single-coverage insurance through our respective empolyers, for two reasons. One is this exact situation. I've already made arrangements to have him put on my insurance here, so thankfully he won't have to go without. It will be wayyyy more expensive, though, hence reason #2 for our separate insurances up to this point. But better to pay more and have it than risk sickness or injury without.

[shimmer728]

I'm sorry to hear this, mid20. Big hugs and hang in there.

[The Fly]

I didn't have it quite as bad as you since I'm single, but when I was fired last year I wasn't even given a reason. Plus I couldn't collect unemployment. I guess you could say I was in pretty bad shape.

I hope things get better for you soon.

[yankeeyosh]

Sorry to hear that mt...i was fired once nearly 3 years ago, and I collected UI...of course there was a risk involved, so I don't know if you should do it if you're concerned about it. Perhaps you can get some written agreement from the former employer to allow him to collect unemployment in return of no possible legal action...i don't know if that would work.

[midtwenty]

Risk? What do you mean?
They fired him, he applies for unemployment. It's as simple as that, IMO. I make no deals with the devil. Even if they tried to deny his claim, all he'd have to do is appeal. And frankly, I don't think they'd even try to deny it. They KNOW they fucked him over.

[tartytwenty]

At my hell hole company at my last job, people were fired over the most frivolous of things. It happened often. Most people were allowed to claim and collect unemployment. However the company would quickly file suit with the claim fight it, usually winning because... I assume they had the money to fight these well, but I'm not sure what is all involved. Then people would end up with their new job, garnished wages or a huge bill to return the unemployment money. I'm just glad I was able to quit instead of going through that.

[yankeeyosh]

Risk? What do you mean?
They fired him, he applies for unemployment. It's as simple as that, IMO. I make no deals with the devil. Even if they tried to deny his claim, all he'd have to do is appeal. And frankly, I don't think they'd even try to deny it. They KNOW they fucked him over.

Yes, but if the company wants to be assholes, they could tell the UI office that he was fired...in NYS that is illegal; I don't know how it is in other states.

[paiger81]

Williams won't fight it. They are too big a company to care.

**Dad does contract for Williams Natural Gas Pipelines in Houston***

[midtwenty]

Yes, but if the company wants to be assholes, they could tell the UI office that he was fired...in NYS that is illegal; I don't know how it is in other states.

Uh, in Oklahoma, the only way you CAN file for unemployment is by being fired. Quitting means you get NOTHING. They figure if you quit, it's your problem. The only way they'll deny benefits is if the former employee did something REALLY outrageous, like stealing from the company or sabotaging clients, for example.
I had no idea you could file for UI if you quit in other states. Here, it's too bad so sad if you quit. You don't get a damn dime.

Williams won't fight it. They are too big a company to care.
Exactly. Obviously you know all about Satan's Asshole.

[paiger81]

Exactly. Obviously you know all about Satan's Asshole.

My dad contracts for them, has done so for 10 years, yet they have never hired him. :madder: But my dad is ok with the situation, so all I can do is support whatever decision he makes. Plus, since he does Pipeline Inspection he travels most of the time and never really has to deal with the corporate aspect of things.

[tartytwenty]

In IL, if you quit, yes, you're on your own. If you get fired, you can claim and collect UI. But then...the company fights it, and by the time they win, you're up to your armpits in the UI dollars and end up in a mess. If they don't win, then you're fine. My last company was medium sized, and they loved to fight it. LOL At least I know ONE person who won, and it was my co-worker. Apparently the boss was out to get him, and it was proved. Yea, I've complained about ex-boss before, but it's sooo nice to see they lost one.

[coll214]

In CT, if you quit you're on your own AND depending what you were fired for, you also may not get unemployment. Fired for a ridiculous reason such as an outburst at boss, or 'attitude' and your more than likely screwed. As my ex found out the hard way. Unemployment is by and large just for layoffs- and there's plenty of those in this state...

[J-girl]

In Ontario, you only get EI if you are laid off, or your contract expires. You dont get it if you quit or you get fired.

That being said, one of my mum's workers got fired for no reason at all!!! She was the nicest person. She didnt even get a warning, they just fired her. And she is around 50-55. Thats fu kkin awful. I got so mad when I heard that.

[midtwenty]

My dad contracts for them, has done so for 10 years, yet they have never hired him. :madder: But my dad is ok with the situation, so all I can do is support whatever decision he makes. Plus, since he does Pipeline Inspection he travels most of the time and never really has to deal with the corporate aspect of things.

Your dad may very well be glad they've never officially hired him. He's likely better off. And ironically, if he's called 800-WILLIAMS any time in the last 5 years, the chances are very good he's talked to Steve on the phone.

As for the UI, you really have to be a super special deluxe fuck-up royale in Oklahoma to get denied. I've only ever heard of one person getting denied benefits, and she didn't get it because she'd been embezzling and the company had a year's worth of proof.

[paiger81]

Hehe, everybody should call the #, ask for Steve, then say he was the most helpful person, and he will be missed :razz:

Everybody in Texas gets UI, too. One of mom's employees was caught stealing, and was given the option of quitting or being fired. THe employee quit, but still qualified for UI. Mom's company didn't fight it.

[yankeeyosh]

Uh, in Oklahoma, the only way you CAN file for unemployment is by being fired. Quitting means you get NOTHING. They figure if you quit, it's your problem. The only way they'll deny benefits is if the former employee did something REALLY outrageous, like stealing from the company or sabotaging clients, for example.
I had no idea you could file for UI if you quit in other states. Here, it's too bad so sad if you quit. You don't get a damn dime.


No, not if you quit either. Like some others have mentioned, in NYS basically you can only get UI if you are "laid off" with no fault of your own.

[midtwenty]

Hehe, everybody should call the #, ask for Steve, then say he was the most helpful person, and he will be missed :razz:

HA!
Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if that really were happening. Everyone liked him. Except the dept director, who liked him until she figured out he refused to lick her ass all day like everyone else.

No, not if you quit either. Like some others have mentioned, in NYS basically you can only get UI if you are "laid off" with no fault of your own.

I guess I misunderstood what you said. The way you wrote it, I read it as though you got it even if you were fired.

[The Fly]

I live in Virginia, where it's entirely legal for an employer to fire someone for any or no reason at all. Your boss can fire you because you have a unibrow or a less-than-stellar dental record, or just because he's feeling ornery.

When I was fired, it was from a so-called "non-profit" organization. Non-profs aren't required to pay into Unemployment, and this one didn't. The last in a long line of screwovers from this place.

Word to the wise - stay away from the non-profits.